Sales calls

Years ago, 20 or more, we used to get at least a sales call every hour. Irritating as hell. Then I heard about the Do Not Call registry, and listed my numbers. This actually helped, cutting out the majority of sales calls. 

There was a couple features you could add to your phone as well, I forget what it was called, maybe privacy manager. There, if the number wasn’t registered, in essence, a sales call, it would get blocked. This worked too good though, as certain doctors would call about this or that or test results and doctors have unlisted numbers, so there’s a problem. 

These days, the Do Not Call registry may no longer be of much use–although I may go and re-enter my numbers for the heck of it. But the sales companies have gotten that much more crafty.

I’m sure you’ve probably run afoul of this. The phone rings, and it’s your area code and the caller ID gives someone’s name. You pick it up and of course, it’s a sales call that’s piggybacked on someone’s personal phone number to deliver a stealth sales call.

Slimy as hell.

One time, I called the person in question back to let them know someone stole their number for sales call purposes. They were not happy. I don’t blame them.

One time, someone in the neighborhood here called me to ask what I wanted. Evidently, they saw my number, no one was on the phone, so they called me. I had to explain what happened. They were not happy. Neither was I. It’s annoying as hell.

I *don’t* know of any way to stop it. We might get a couple calls a day. Usually, if I don’t recognize the number, or there’s no name, I just pick up and hang up to stop the ringing. If it was someone I know, or something important, they’ll call back. 

ONE time, I actually got a phone call from me. Yes, my house was calling my house.

I suspect it wasn’t really me at all. 

Yeah, I’ve gotta refresh things on the Do Not Call list. 

I thought I heard you’ve got to re-enter your numbers every five years for some reason.

I’m way behind.

Maybe I’ll call myself with a reminder.

Update; My number is already listed in the registry and it does not expire. That just means there’s nothing I can do. Sigh.